Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

3 cun below the sternocostal angle (or 5 cun above the umbili-

cus) and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

How to find

The distance between the sternocostal angle and the centre of the

umbilicus is divided into 8 cun, which can vary considerably

from the patient’s finger cun; therefore, only proportional cun

measurements should be used (helpful tool: elastic tape

➞2.3.1). First, measure 3 cun down from the sternocostal angle.

Or:Measure 1 cun up from the midpoint of the distance

between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle (➞Ren-12:

spreading hands technique ➞2.3.3). From there, measure 2 cun

in a lateral direction to locate ST-20. Depending on the shape of

the thorax, ST-20might be located on the lower border of the

ribcage in some cases (narrow subcostal angle).

Located on the same level are ➞Ren-13(anterior midline) and

➞KID-20(0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline) and ➞G.B.-24

(on the mamillary line, in the 7th intercostal space).

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun. If the correct location projects this point on

the lower ribcage, needle transversely on the rib or locate the

point more medially (or choose an alternative point). Caution:

Peritoneum.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Middle Burner and the Stomach Qi

● Regulates the Lung Qi

ST-20 Supporting Fullness CHENGMAN

Sternocostal

angle

ST-19

ST-20

2 cun

3 cun

18

16

15

25

(^2218)
17
22
8
12
LIV-14
G.B.-24
16
LIV-13
14
15
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Umbilicus
1
Sterno-
costal
angle
Ren-13
8 cun
3 cun
KID-20 Ren-13
KID-19 Ren-12
KID-18 Ren-11
KID-17 Ren-10
8 cun
5 cun
G.B.-24
in 7th intercostal space
6
7
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